Greenwood is a privately owned 1788 acre parcel of riparian, bottomland and upland habitat located along the Red River in northern Red River County, Texas. Greenwood is ecologically diverse, comprised of riparian, river terrace and upland habitat. Historically, the large hardwoods that dominated the landscape were cut, the bottomlands were farmed and cattle grazed the uplands. However, in 1997 the land use plan changed and the entire property was dedicated to habitat restoration and wildlife conservation. Consistent with the new land use intent, farming and livestock grazing was terminated.
In 1998 a project to restore the land to its native vegetation, function and values was initiated. A partnership between the current landowners, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited and American Forests was established to restore the degraded wetlands and associated terraces to their original function. Restoration has encompassed planting native hardwood trees and grasses that were characteristic of the original landscape, returning the drained cropland into a functioning wetland with values hospitable to wildlife, and retaining or improving aesthetic values of the land.
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Birding
with guided birding/nature tours upon request
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Wildlife viewing from
blinds (deer, birds, bobcats, coyotes, hogs, raccoons, squirrels, opossum,
striped skunk, armadillo, waterfowl, etc)
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Stargazing
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Nature Photography
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Mountain bike trails
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Horseback riding
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River
fishing
The Red River makes a long two mile bend at Greenwood. Large sandbars with sparse vegetation and the adjacent riparian habitat attract unique wildlife. Numerous shore birds and water birds can be seen on the river during fall and spring migration. During the summer months, numerous species nest in the immediate river habitat. Of special interest is the endangered interior least tern, which nests on river sandbars surrounded by water and commonly can be seen diving for minnows in the river, sloughs and oxbow lakes. Beaver ponds, oxbow lakes and numerous sloughs created by wetlands restoration are visited by numerous shore and water birds throughout the year. Of special interest
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Brown Thrasher |
Cardinals |
are wood storks, ibis and roseate spoonbills in late summer, numerous nesting prothonotary warblers in spring and summer, Louisiana water thrush, the unusual calls of American bitterns, pied grebes and sora, and large concentrations of waterfowl in late winter and early spring.
Most of the magnificent hardwoods that once dominated the bottomland landscape have been cut, but some remnant specimens of pecan, shumard oak, bur oak, chinkapin oak, sweetgum and cottonwood
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Catalpa Tree |
Woodland Trail |
survived along the old river terrace. A grassed area in the river bottom with scattered large native pecan creates a savannah-like habitat adjacent to the Red River that is attractive to wildlife. The heavily wooded areas in the bottomland provide habitat for warblers, vireos, thrashers, and other woodland birds with tanagers, buntings and other ecotone species along the edge. Most of the terrace habitat has been planted in native hardwood seedlings, and the grass is tall (although most is not native), which provides excellent habitat for numerous sparrows and ground nesting birds.
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Deer Meadow |
River Mist |
The upland also has been mostly denuded of large trees,
although some specimen trees remain. The diversity of oaks, hickories and under
story shrubs is excellent. Numerous areas of hardwood regrowth exist. Mixed
hardwood-pine forests are on the high ground along a pristine spring-fed creek.
The Wrightsville-Rodessa soil formation offers a unique diversity of plants.
Partial inventories of plants, mammals,
birds, frogs, snakes, turtles, and fish are constructed and are available upon
request. Guests are requested to contribute to inventories.
Greenwood offers solitude, tranquility and
relaxing outdoors in a wildlife abundant environment. Greenwood is 16 miles from
Clarksville, TX where numerous historic buildings including an old jail house,
restored courthouse, and historic homes are open to the public. There are
several restaurants and fast food establishments. Additionally, Greenwood is
about 20 minutes from the Lennox Woods and less than 1 hour from Beavers Bend
Park in Oklahoma.
Miles of marked walking, mountain
biking and horse trails are located throughout the property. Natural history and
wildlife viewing tips are available at designated viewing areas. Areas of the
property are accessible by motorized vehicle upon special request. Maps with
trail route markings and distance are available at the guesthouse.
A modern lodging facility with 3 double
rooms, common bath/toilet with hot water, and separate room for meal
preparation/meetings is available. Covered stalls and pens are available for
horse boarding.
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Guest Lodging |
You and your party (minimum 4, maximum
6 guests) have exclusive use of Greenwood. Each room is $65/night double or
single occupancy. The kitchen has a
refrigerator, microwave, coffee makers, toaster, electric skillet, dishes
utensils, and outdoor grill. Two horse stalls are available at $15/night, and a
metal pen with shelter is available for $10/night per horse. Guided bird/nature
tours are $30/hr.
